How has cleaning changed since the pandemic?

2020 is a year perhaps most influential on the modern-day cleaning industry. Covid turned the world upside down, and has continued to shape the way we act on a daily basis in a range of fields. But how exactly has covid shaped cleaning? This post will delve into just some of the ways that the pandemic has influenced the cleaning sector and personal hygiene. This includes: the way we have changed personal attitudes to cleaning; the way in which businesses have changed; and global approaches to hygiene.
Personal hygiene:
Possibly some of the most well known initiatives during the pandemic in the UK were the: ‘Hands. Face. Space.’ mottos and ‘techniques’ such as washing your hands for the duration of the ‘twinkle twinkle little star’ song. This encouraged improved personal hygiene by starting from the basics: hand washing. But covid isn’t the only thing changing the way we see cleaning. There has been a continuing increase in cleaning-based social media content and infleuncers – continuously changing personal attitudes towards cleaning. Now, cleaning is seen as a satisfying, enjoyable activity for more and more people – could this be thanks to the many influencers such as Mrs Hinch showcasing the benefits and beauty of cleanliness and making cleaning ‘trendy’? Well, that is for you to decide, but it is interesting to observe in the coming years.
Businesses:
Speaking from personal experience, we have certainly seen an increase in demand for cleaning services over the course of 2020 and 2021. It’s not just the demand for the amount of services increasing either, but the diversity of services required. For example, ‘hotspot’ disinfection and fumigation have increased in a wide range of sectors, and so have deep cleans after covid outbreaks occur at certain locations. However, some cleaning businesses also faced immense pressures due to the impacts of lockdown, meaning less people used public spaces and therefore in some cases, demand for services declined. This meant that overall, the cleaning industry saw a rollercoaster of impacts and responses and is still only just seeing a slow return to balance.
Is the change permanent?
Many cleaning trends come and go over the years, and cleaning approaches worldwide vary dependant on a number of different factors such as health, money or education. However, we are noticing that covid is creating a more long-lasting impact on attitudes towards hygiene and cleaning. Cleaning is becoming more in-demand across a variety of different sectors. As well as this, cleaning is appreciated more and more by everyone. From personal awareness of the importance of cleaning, as well as NGOs and governmental and global institutions which are now increasing action to promote cleanliness and hygiene. We are seeing an incredible, rapid shift towards a (hopefully) cleaner future and we can’t wait to see how this unfolds!